There’s nothing quite like leisurely strolling on a warm, sunny Saturday, exploring shops, nibbling some treats, and sipping some wine. Can this enticing combination be had in Toronto? Yes—tomorrow is the last day of Santé, the 9th annual Bloor-Yorkville wine festival, with several events left to round out your activities this Mother’s Day weekend.

First stop for you and Mum—Village of Yorkville Park on Cumberland between Avenue Road and Bellair Street, where you will find “Santé in the Park.” It runs from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., with the main highlight being a baking demonstration by internationally known and much blogged-about pastry chef and cookbook writer Dorie Greenspan, from 1:00–2:00 p.m. According to her own blog, which she is updating from her Toronto hotel room, she will be presenting World Peace Cookies and Rum-Drenched Vanilla Loaf Cakes. Considering sweets are quickly digested, and should not be eaten directly following a savory meal, you’re free and clear to indulge.

In the park, pick up your passport to “Sip, Savour and Shop”, the afternoon shop-hop where you can sample wines, plus check out the latest hot items in one of Toronto’s most exclusive shopping areas. Most stores are holding wine tastings until 4:00 p.m. and there is a wide variety of offerings to suit everyone. For those up for a bit of sensual fun, check out Lovecraft, Canada's oldest sex store, where you can sample New World wines from Australia, South Africa and California, plus get the perfect toy to satisfy you inner (or outer) fantasies. Maybe Mum can wait outside. For more conservative tastes, Town Shoes in the Colonnade will sample Miguel Torres Spanish wines, and help you pick out the perfect accessory to show off on the downtown streets this summer. You’re probably thinking this kind of day out would not be complete without chocolate and champagne. Luckily, Simone Marie Belgian Chocolate will show you how to pair chocolate with Niagara’s own hand-crafted Angels Gate wines, and Williams-Sonoma will be serving up Taittinger champagne, along with chef-prepared sumptuous treats.

For those who want to keep the party going, "Sip, Savour and Dine" has various Toronto restaurants offering special dinner packages paired with even more wine tastings. From the mood-enhancing compounds in the chocolate and the antioxidants in the wine, Mum will feel great after this special day of excess, both culinary and financial. Good thing Mother’s Day and Santé are only once a year.

Photo by bogulo from Flickr.